The relationship between trait anxiety and sleep quality in college students: an exploratory analysis of physical activity as a moderator
ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the association between trait anxiety and sleep quality among college students and to assess whether different levels and components of physical activity (PA) moderate this relationship.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2,902 college students. S...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1563237/full |
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| author | Liyang Zhong Xiaochen Ma Sen Li Ling Yu |
| author_facet | Liyang Zhong Xiaochen Ma Sen Li Ling Yu |
| author_sort | Liyang Zhong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the association between trait anxiety and sleep quality among college students and to assess whether different levels and components of physical activity (PA) moderate this relationship.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2,902 college students. Standardized instruments were used to evaluate trait anxiety, sleep quality, and PA levels. Moderation regression models were constructed to test interaction effects.ResultsTrait anxiety was significantly associated with decreased overall sleep quality and impairments across all sleep subdimensions. PA level significantly moderated the relationships between trait anxiety and four dimensions of sleep: sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep efficiency, and daytime dysfunction. Stronger buffering effects were observed under conditions of high intensity, long duration, and high frequency of PA.ConclusionHigh-intensity, long-duration, and high-frequency physical activity may help alleviate anxiety-related sleep disturbances in college students, exhibiting a clear dose–response effect. The findings support exercise as a non-pharmacological strategy for improving mental health. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d57bc80f3ff448a89f1306938ec953a1 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj-art-d57bc80f3ff448a89f1306938ec953a12025-08-20T02:32:34ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402025-06-011610.3389/fpsyt.2025.15632371563237The relationship between trait anxiety and sleep quality in college students: an exploratory analysis of physical activity as a moderatorLiyang Zhong0Xiaochen Ma1Sen Li2Ling Yu3Linhai College, Zhejiang Open University, Linhai, ChinaSchool of Physical Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, ChinaSchool of Sports and Health, Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance, Shanghai, ChinaSchool of Sports and Health, Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance, Shanghai, ChinaObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the association between trait anxiety and sleep quality among college students and to assess whether different levels and components of physical activity (PA) moderate this relationship.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2,902 college students. Standardized instruments were used to evaluate trait anxiety, sleep quality, and PA levels. Moderation regression models were constructed to test interaction effects.ResultsTrait anxiety was significantly associated with decreased overall sleep quality and impairments across all sleep subdimensions. PA level significantly moderated the relationships between trait anxiety and four dimensions of sleep: sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep efficiency, and daytime dysfunction. Stronger buffering effects were observed under conditions of high intensity, long duration, and high frequency of PA.ConclusionHigh-intensity, long-duration, and high-frequency physical activity may help alleviate anxiety-related sleep disturbances in college students, exhibiting a clear dose–response effect. The findings support exercise as a non-pharmacological strategy for improving mental health.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1563237/fullphysical activitycollege studentstrait anxietysleep qualitymoderating effects |
| spellingShingle | Liyang Zhong Xiaochen Ma Sen Li Ling Yu The relationship between trait anxiety and sleep quality in college students: an exploratory analysis of physical activity as a moderator Frontiers in Psychiatry physical activity college students trait anxiety sleep quality moderating effects |
| title | The relationship between trait anxiety and sleep quality in college students: an exploratory analysis of physical activity as a moderator |
| title_full | The relationship between trait anxiety and sleep quality in college students: an exploratory analysis of physical activity as a moderator |
| title_fullStr | The relationship between trait anxiety and sleep quality in college students: an exploratory analysis of physical activity as a moderator |
| title_full_unstemmed | The relationship between trait anxiety and sleep quality in college students: an exploratory analysis of physical activity as a moderator |
| title_short | The relationship between trait anxiety and sleep quality in college students: an exploratory analysis of physical activity as a moderator |
| title_sort | relationship between trait anxiety and sleep quality in college students an exploratory analysis of physical activity as a moderator |
| topic | physical activity college students trait anxiety sleep quality moderating effects |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1563237/full |
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